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HATTIE'S
Hattie's has been a part of the fabric
of Saratoga since 1938, offering fried
chicken and a variety of authentic
Southern and Louisiana-style cooking
such as jambalaya and crawfish étouffée.
Born in Louisiana in what she
estimated to be 1900 (her mother died
in childbirth), Hattie Grey opened the
original restaurant on Federal Street with
$33 dollars she had saved. Back in the
1930s and '40s, Hattie's was open 24
hours a day. In 1968, she moved to the
current location on Phila Street.
Hattie was renowned not only for her
chicken, but also for the philanthropic
support she offered the town, hiring those
who needed jobs, sheltering them in her
home, and even helping them with school.
This tradition continues today with the
program Hattie's Helping Hands, which
supports local charities. Beth and Jasper
Alexander, who bought the restaurant in
2001, oversee the philanthropic efforts,
and Jasper, who serves as chef, continues
to fry the chicken exactly as Hattie did.
"Hattie's is the best fried chicken in
America," says Donna Barton Brothers.
"Period."
If you can't make it to the downtown
location, there's an outpost at the track
(with a truncated menu) and another in
Wilton, N.Y.
45 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs.
(518) 584-4790.
HattiesRestaurant.com.
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